Staph infections

How contagious is a staph infection? Is if you touch a sore to someone or touch a sore then touch someone? like just having someone touch you where there is no sore and clean skin would that spread it? or like someone kissing someone? like is it only if someone touches one of your sores or if you touch one of your sores then touch someone or is there more to it than that?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Staphylococcal infection is usually spread through direct skin to skin contact. It is thus important to keep affected areas covered and to wash your hands always. Staphylococcal bacteria may also be transmitted through contact with inanimate objects like towels and doorknobs. So it is necessary to wash your towels and clothes after use and to disinfect objects that could have been infected.

Staphylococcal bacteria are normally present on the skin and in the nasal area. In normal circumstances , they do not manifest as disease. Most persons are carriers. For patients who are immunocompromised or when a break in the skin occurs, Staphylococcal colonization becomes an infection.